On the Scene

Natalia Sheppard, otherwise known as ‘MC Tali', is the most successful female MC in Drum n Bass of all time. With three DnB Awards, a solo album, numerous singles and guest vocals under her belt, Tali has performed all around the world with many of the scene’s heavyweights. She shares with Her Magazine her journey from Taranaki freestyler to international superstar

Words by: Natalia Sheppard

The year was 2001, and I was standing backstage at the bar of one of Melbourne's biggest live venues. There in front of me was my musical hero, award winning UK Drum n Bass producer, Roni Size. I couldn't get over how fate had placed him there in front of me, casually sipping his drink and perusing his surroundings.
Originally from New Zealand, I had moved to Melbourne six months earlier, waiting tables to save money for a plane flight to the United Kingdom. My dream was, as Australasia's only female Drum n Bass MC, to turn up in Bristol to find Roni Size and the Full Cycle collective, and convince them to sign me.
I have been involved with music since I was a young girl growing up on a dairy farm under the shadow of Mount Taranaki, classically trained in singing and piano with a passion for writing songs and poetry. As I discovered Hip Hop music, I began to develop a love of 'Free styling', making up songs and raps as I went along, and whilst living in Christchurch I was introduced to Drum n Bass music.
I immediately fell in love with the way the music made me want to dance, and the unity it created amongst those of all ages and races. It was here I witnessed my first real taste of what it would be like to be an MC.
Hosting the set, this guy flowed over the music the DJ mixed, and sent the crowds into fits of hype and joy with his lyrics. I knew then that that was the career choice for me.
When I expressed my enthusiasm to my DJ friend, the first thing he pointed out was that there were very few females who held positions of influence within Drum n Bass and even then, the calibre of their work was limited.
I knew that if I was to be taken seriously I would have to practise and hone my craft as much as possible, not only with regard to the quality of rhymes I wrote, but the efficiency in the way I delivered them. I also studied as much as I could find about the music itself, pouring over the Drum n Bass magazines that came 'Par Avion' from London straight into our local specialist Record store.
I knew the names of all the songs, the producers who wrote them, and the record labels they were released on. I listened to every mix tape we were lucky enough to be sent from friends in London, and spent evenings out at local clubs listening to the DJ's mixing til dawn. When I eventually drifted home, the echoes of the music followed me down Christchurch's misty streets.
I did reasonably well in my first forays out MCing in New Zealand, with most people (mainly men) surprised I could hold my own on the mic. But, typically, in a scene that is dominated by males, I soon learned that my presence made some people uncomfortable, and I was given a lot of harsh and often sexist criticism and was told to 'give up and go home'.
This only ignited a fire of ambition within me and I set my sights further afield, moving to Australia where, with a few pre established connections, I was able to get club gigs, and waited tables in the meantime. All the while writing rhymes and dreaming of being the next big thing on Roni Size's label.
And now here he was in front of me. I felt afraid, excited, nervous and intimidated all at once.
A friend encouraged me to go talk to him, but I hesitated. My main concern was, 'What do I actually say?' The dream I had of turning up on his doorstep and telling him how their label needed me, and that I would be perfect for them, suddenly seemed silly and grandiose.
Yet I knew that this moment would never happen again and if I didn't approach him now I may regret it forever.
 In a few moments I was speaking to him, telling him about myself. But when he said
 "Come on then, MC for me. Show me what you've got”, my heart really started racing.
An impromptu audition? Very well then, and I let loose with my quickest, flashiest rap I could think of and finished it off with a soulful vocal on the end.
Impressed and excited, Roni led me into the DJ booth and got me on the mic in front of 1,000 people, telling me to do my thing. I spent 24 amazing hours with Roni and the Full Cycle crew, sharing with them my ambitions, and they were all incredibly encouraging, assuring me if I went to the United Kingdom, there would certainly be work there for someone like me.
Needless to say I took that plane flight to the United Kingdom three months later and signed to Full Cycle. So began my journey to become the world’s number one female DnB MC.
To begin with I emulated those MC's that I was surrounded by, but I quickly realised trying to sound like a 30 something man from inner city London was not the way to go. In a scene where everyone wants to stand out, it is important that your sound is truly yours. I saw that my talent for being able to sing and write raps would be the thing that set me apart, and while many people couldn't get their heads around some little white girl from New Zealand holding court next to some of the biggest boys in the business, I knew that if I was truly good enough, my gender shouldn't matter.
Over the next 10 years I released four albums, countless singles and toured the world extensively, playing shows and festivals in countries as far flung as Azerbaijan, Mexico, Japan and Costa Rica. I won the 'Best Female MC' award three times running, but the truth of the matter is I had no real competition. I am baffled as to why there are not more women inspired to work in the Electronic Dance industry, especially when I see young girls at raves, loving the music and chatting in depth about producers and tunes they are inspired by with as much enthusiasm as some women talk about clothes and shoes.
Where are the female MC's, DJ's, sound engineers, and producers? I know there must be some out there, but why not more? I have recently relocated back to New Zealand and I am on a mission to engage and inspire, and I want to put these questions to young women and find out.
Perhaps it is a lack of role models, or opportunities as advantageous as the one I was given, but I also know that inspiration and imagination can be found and stirred up anywhere.
When you are on your way to achieving your goals it can be all too easy to be dissuaded into 'giving up and going home'. It is much more challenging to carry on, unsure, insecure, often feeling it’s like following a pipe dream. It is only when you reach that dream and realise you are living it every day to the point where it is normality, that you are finally able to see the challenge was worth it, and that given the chance, you would probably do it all again.
I know I would.
 
Natalia Sheppard
 
FIVE TOP TIPS TO MAKING IT IN THE ELECTRONIC MUSIC INDUSTRY.
 
*The saying 'knowledge is power' is true!
 Make sure you garner as much knowledge as you can about your particular field. As a woman you will be expected to be better than average, and having that knowledge, and understanding the 'etiquette' of your scene will serve you well. (In saying that, good old fashioned passion and enthusiasm also goes a long way too!)
*Always be humble and considerate of all you meet, regardless of how big or small their name is. You can never be sure who it is you're meeting, but guarantee they will remember you if you are presented well, polite and obliging.
*Do not be put off by criticism and hearsay, especially that of a sexist nature. I quickly learned that those who want to put you down in this way are often threatened by your talent, and usually their criticism is mere insecurity.
*Find out what is your unique and special attribute that will make you stand out from the rest, whether it’s having expertise in one particular field, or being versatile enough to cover many areas within the scene.
*Be open to new experiences and cultures. Travelling within the music industry you will be lucky enough to meet and integrate with some fascinating people. Your life can only be enriched by this.
*At times while travelling and on tour you may be put in testing conditions outside your comfort zone. How you react is imperative. Stay calm, be positive and try to make the best of situations. Sometimes the best adventures (and stories!) can be found this way.